"Good morning, Redbud," he said, gently.
Redbud blushed slightly, but, carried back to the old days by Verty's forest costume, quickly extended her hand, and forgetting Miss Lavinia's advice, replied, with a delightful mixture of kindness and tenderness:
"I'm very glad to see you, Verty."
The young man's face became radiant; he completely lost sight of the charge against the young lady made in Miss Sallianna's letter. He was too happy to ever think of it; and would have stared Redbud out of countenance for very joy and satisfaction, had not Miss Fanny, naturally displeased at the neglect with which she had been treated, called attention to herself.
"Hum!" said that young lady, indignantly, "I suppose, Mr. Verty, I am too small to be seen. Pray, acknowledge the fact of my existence, sir."
"Anan?" said Verty, smiling.
Fanny stamped her pretty foot, and burst out laughing.
"It's easy to see what is the matter with you!" she laughed.
"Why, there's nothing," said Verty.
"Yes, there is."